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Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small BusinessThe Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Skilling our future generations with coding and robotics grants

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Skilling our future generations with coding and robotics grants

Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch today announced a funding program aimed at supporting councils across the Darling Downs and South West region to support the delivery of coding and robotics activities in their communities.

A recently established partnership between the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) and Regional Development Australia Darling Downs and South West (RDA DDSW) will make available a co-funded grant pool of $21,000.

The six eligible councils — Quilpie Shire Council, Bulloo Shire Council, Murweh Shire Council, Maranoa Regional Council, Goondiwindi Regional Council and Southern Downs Regional Council — can apply for a grant of up to $3,500 each to enable them to purchase resources and deliver programming specific to the needs of their communities.

“The Skilling Our Future coding and robotics grants offer financial support to regional councils to build the digital capabilities of people of all ages in their communities,” Minister Enoch said.

“The $3,500 funding could assist regional libraries to purchase coding and robotics software and programs, or allow them to engage the community and local schools through a range of digital opportunities such as coding clubs and workshops, activity sessions with robots, or makerspaces.

“Technology continues to change and shape the world we live in, and is already influencing the jobs of the future.

“By equipping Queenslanders, particularly children, with skills in coding and robotics, we are building a society of innovators, critical thinkers and problem solvers.”

State Librarian Vicki McDonald said SLQ was delighted to be able to support regional communities through the partnership with RDA DDSW.

“Collaboration between the State Library and Regional Development Australia Darling Downs and South West will provide support to remote libraries to engage with coding and robotics and provide linkages for the community to the trends in robotics and agriculture.”

Ms McDonald said these Skilling Our Future grants would complement the $300,000 coding and robotics funding already awarded throughout Queensland from SLQ’s VISION 2017 grants, and would ensure councils across the region were able to provide access to coding and robotics technology as well as provide professional development for library staff.

“Equipping Queenslanders with digital literacy skills is directly linked to SLQ’s goal to inspire Queensland’s creativity — across all aspects of knowledge — forever,” she said.

The new Skilling Our Future grants will be available to councils that have not previously received any funding for coding and robotics programs.